the homeland security secretary, janet napolitano, visited today, promising help. >> we're going to take care of immediate needs of all states and communities affected by irene, and we're going to be leaving or having in all the affected states, fema coordinators to facilitate movement of disaster declarations. >> suarez: for now, early estimates put the storm's damages between $7 billion and $10 billion, far smaller than the $100 billion caused by hurricane katrina. >> ifill: for more on the situation in vermont, i spoke with senator patrick leahy, a democrat, earlier today. he joined me from burlington. senator leahy, thank you for joining us. >> good to be with you, thank you. >> ifill: you were able to tour your state today. what did you see? >> i've seen since the flooding i've seen a great deal of the state. yesterday i went with the governor by helicopter. i've been driving around parts. we had to use the helicopter because some of our towns are completely cut off. there's no way you can get in there which creates all kinds of concerns. i've lived here all my life. i've never seen